Lawmaker Ruffled By Duck Ramp Told To 'Duck Off'

The president of a non-profit that helps animals in Washington, DC, calls it a lifesaving measure. Rep. Mark Walker calls it a waste of government funds. Such is the debate raging over a simple duck ramp installed by government officials at the Capitol Reflecting Pool, which is drawing quite a bit of attention, despite its seemingly lighter nature. The New York Times reports two duck ramps were installed at the reflecting pool Monday to make it easier for ducklings that have made their home at the pool to get in and out. The president of City Wildlife—which worked with the Architect of the Capitol agency to design the ramps—explains the ducklings risk drowning from exhaustion or starving to death if they can’t hurdle a “high curb at the water’s edge.”

A video shows ducklings using the newly installed ramp to avoid the curb. But Walker, a Republican from North Carolina, is not amused. “If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, it must be government waste,” he tweeted Monday, alongside a photo of one of the ramps. He didn’t find much support, though. “I for one am glad American tax dollars paid for you to get mad online about a duck ramp,” replied comedian Patrick Monahan. Another user said the ramp “looks like a really cheap way to offset the ecosystem disruption of the concrete structure,” while one simply told Walker to “duck off,” per the Huffington Post. In related news, Mashable reports ducklings were rescued from the roof of the Library of Congress on Tuesday. Walker has yet to comment on that expense.